Advice on Desktop PC

[StarTrekDoc]

got it.  i prefer watching tv sports and movies not at my desk chair.  this is despite have both the imac and dells new all in one with kick ****************** sound system.  they are great for youtube clips and background stuff while working but i hit the tv when its game time or movietime.

you want to make sure you will happy to watch on smaller screens upstairs or if office has wall space and room for nice couch...man cave!!!

[CM]

StarTrekDoc wrote:

got it.  i prefer watching tv sports and movies not at my desk chair.  this is despite have both the imac and dells new all in one with kick ****************** sound system.  they are great for youtube clips and background stuff while working but i hit the tv when its game time or movietime.

you want to make sure you will happy to watch on smaller screens upstairs or if office has wall space and room for nice couch…man cave!!!

Click to expand...

:-) My office is definitely my man-cave, sans couch though.

A boglehead put me on to this one: http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-34-ultrasharp-curved-monitor-u3417w/apd/210-aiyz/monitors-monitor-accessories, a 34" curved screen.

It comes "packed with a powerful audio system," and "the dual 9-watt speakers deliver a nice wall of sound," according to this review: http://www.pcmag.com/review/349654/dell-ultrasharp-34-curved-monitor-u3417w.

The only criticisms related to gaming function and price, but I don't play games and the price is ok with me. The audio will probably be more than good enough, but I presume I could upgrade later if desired. This appears to solve both audio and visual needs.

[CM]

Rex wrote:

I’ve built at least 5
Relatively easy to do but does take time and desire

Just go to slickdeals.net and look for a good deal in the hot deals forum.

Click to expand...

There are many enterprising physicians on this board. For me, build-my-own-computer would rank just above install-my-own-water-heater, and just below do-my-own-taxes, on the jobs-I'd-prefer-to-delegate list.

I did my own taxes until this year when I cajoled my accountant wife into doing the job. I'm going to let Michael Dell build the computer. :-)

[StarTrekDoc]

i have seen that that at our university bookstore and you wont be disappointed in it if thats your budget.  attach whatever pc to it that fits your desire.get from dell on sale.  any prepackaged dell pc will do if not gaming or intense calculation speed lime video editing or photoshopping.

[RJ]

Buy a refurbished Apple desktop or desktop replacement laptop. Same warranty as brand new apple product. Just comes in plane box without color logos. 15-40% discount. You are welcome.

www.refurb.me

[CM]

StarTrekDoc wrote:

got it.  i prefer watching tv sports and movies not at my desk chair.  this is despite have both the imac and dells new all in one with kick ****************** sound system.  they are great for youtube clips and background stuff while working but i hit the tv when its game time or movietime.

you want to make sure you will happy to watch on smaller screens upstairs or if office has wall space and room for nice couch…man cave!!!

Click to expand...

What is your kick ****************** sound system?

I've read a bit about Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 and Logitech Z623: http://agreatpick.com/best-2-1-computer-speakers-reviews/. However, one minute of listening would be worth a thousand reviews. Either I can appreciate the difference or I can't.

[Zaphod]

I swear its super easy. You just put the pieces where they go, "build" is a very generous term for sure. I had exactly zero problems and it took 4 hours being exceedingly careful and slow since I had never done it. There are a couple of good basic websites and many excellent youtube videos.

Problem with the store stuff is when you get a good processor and memory they also throw on 8 tb of hard drive that jacks up the cost for zero added value.

Get win 10 pro, much better.

Apples are usually very spendy for much worse overall performance.

Obviously you dont have to build it yourself, but you can get it customized from certain nerd sites and made for you I believe. Maybe try that.

[CM]

Zaphod wrote:

I swear its super easy. You just put the pieces where they go, “build” is a very generous term for sure. I had exactly zero problems and it took 4 hours being exceedingly careful and slow since I had never done it. There are a couple of good basic websites and many excellent youtube videos.

Problem with the store stuff is when you get a good processor and memory they also throw on 8 tb of hard drive that jacks up the cost for zero added value.

Get win 10 pro, much better.

Apples are usually very spendy for much worse overall performance.

Obviously you dont have to build it yourself, but you can get it customized from certain nerd sites and made for you I believe. Maybe try that.

Click to expand...

Your example will inspire me to build my next one in eight years. I'll be retired then with much more time, energy, and ambition.

[RogueDadMD]

Zaphod wrote:

I swear its super easy. You just put the pieces where they go, “build” is a very generous term for sure. I had exactly zero problems and it took 4 hours being exceedingly careful and slow since I had never done it. There are a couple of good basic websites and many excellent youtube videos.

Problem with the store stuff is when you get a good processor and memory they also throw on 8 tb of hard drive that jacks up the cost for zero added value.

Get win 10 pro, much better.

Apples are usually very spendy for much worse overall performance.

Obviously you dont have to build it yourself, but you can get it customized from certain nerd sites and made for you I believe. Maybe try that.

Click to expand...

Agree -- I've built a handful of my own PCs.  I agree w/Zaphod that the actual assembly is straightforward.  It can take awhile to get Windows installed, but the software installation is not difficult.

However I'm somewhat of a nerd when it comes to this and when I've built my own PCs it's so I could get EXACTLY what I want.  I spend the time to figure out exactly what level part I want and compare endlessly before purchasing.  Like anything else you do yourself, you end up with a lot more options than if you buy pre-assembled from a manufacturer.

Problem with DIY as a computer nerd and when I build my own I want to spend the time to  figure out the parts I want, and that takes way more time.  If you aren't interested in learning the differences between SSD's and regular HDs, deciding what type of SSD to get then becomes a bit much.

If you're going to want a warranty covering everything and a single place to call if there's a problem, you need to buy from somewhere like Dell (though I am not recommending them specifically).

At bare min what you need to do is look at somewhere like Dell and the options they offer and research those to figure out what you want.  SSD and dual screen are a must, but 3 screens is even better.  I have 2 at home and 3 at work.

[janettebournes]

Another plug for an apple all in one imac

It certainly won't be as powerful as a self built computer and it will cost more but even as a techie, we've had so many issues with windows computers (admittedly never with windows 10 pro although the issues we ran into with windows 10 home were infuriating)

In the end, we've been happiest with our Mac

No need to build or purchase all the components individually (I realize this is half the fun for techies), no glitches at all with macOS, more than powerful enough for our needs (surfing, movies, music, msft office). We've added another monitor for more viewing space but certainly not necessary with the 5k display (and we realize this ruins the cleanliness of the all in one look)

[Kamban]

Hate to say this but all this comparison between "Apple is great and PC crashes all the time" is when we had Windows Xp. When Win 7 came along, especially the Pro version the difference narrowed considerably. Now with Windows 10 Pro the operating system of Windows has even overtaken a Mac. Apple is resting on its laurels of Steve Jobs days. The integration between a Windows tablet and laptop and PC is so seamless. A iPad has a totally different OS compared to a Mac.

Windows biggest failing has been multiple manufactures of hardware. There are so many cheap $299 laptops from Best Buy that wil crash because it has poor components and not meant to support a robust Win 10. It is stupid to compare that to a $1500 Apple Laptop. If you get a $1500 hardware laptop or desktop and install a Win 10 Pro you will get much better performance. And an open system, not closed one like Apple where they want you to do how they want it.

I have built more than 5 desktops over the last 3 years years and all had Win 7 Pro and now have Win 10 Pro free upgrade. None of them crash. many of them go on for months on end without being powered down except for times when updates are installed. And with SSD's they are blazing fast.

Peace. Buy what you you want. I neither hold stock in Apple or Microsoft I just want to make sure everyone is not a sheep.

[CM]

Rogue Dad, M.D. wrote:

Zaphod wrote:

I swear its super easy. You just put the pieces where they go, “build” is a very generous term for sure. I had exactly zero problems and it took 4 hours being exceedingly careful and slow since I had never done it. There are a couple of good basic websites and many excellent youtube videos.

Problem with the store stuff is when you get a good processor and memory they also throw on 8 tb of hard drive that jacks up the cost for zero added value.

Get win 10 pro, much better.

Apples are usually very spendy for much worse overall performance.

Obviously you dont have to build it yourself, but you can get it customized from certain nerd sites and made for you I believe. Maybe try that.

Click to expand…

Agree — I’ve built a handful of my own PCs.  I agree w/Zaphod that the actual assembly is straightforward.  It can take awhile to get Windows installed, but the software installation is not difficult.

However I’m somewhat of a nerd when it comes to this and when I’ve built my own PCs it’s so I could get EXACTLY what I want.  I spend the time to figure out exactly what level part I want and compare endlessly before purchasing.  Like anything else you do yourself, you end up with a lot more options than if you buy pre-assembled from a manufacturer.

Problem with DIY as a computer nerd and when I build my own I want to spend the time to  figure out the parts I want, and that takes way more time.  If you aren’t interested in learning the differences between SSD’s and regular HDs, deciding what type of SSD to get then becomes a bit much.

If you’re going to want a warranty covering everything and a single place to call if there’s a problem, you need to buy from somewhere like Dell (though I am not recommending them specifically).

At bare min what you need to do is look at somewhere like Dell and the options they offer and research those to figure out what you want.  SSD and dual screen are a must, but 3 screens is even better.  I have 2 at home and 3 at work.

Click to expand...

Apparently, I am the only physician who doesn't build his own PCs. We're weak on personal finance, but we can whip up a computer like Michael Dell.

According to reviews and answers on Amazon, the Dell 34 UltraSharp U3417W can be split into two screens or as many as six screens.

[Kamban]

CM wrote:

Thanks, Kamban. The two you built have Windows 10 Home instead of Pro, but I presume I can change that part of the order if I call Dell? I think one monitor will be enough. (I use two at work, but doubt I’d appreciate the second monitor for home use.) I’m looking at this one: http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-infinityedge-monitor-u2717d/apd/210-ahgv/monitors-monitor-accessories, the Dell UltraSharp 27 InfinityEdge U2717D. It is well-reviewed, but doesn’t have an HDMI 2.0 port. Is that a potential problem?

Click to expand...

When you order just make sure that you ask for Win 10 Pro installed.

The CPU will not make much of  difference for your needs. Even a 15 or lower end i7 or AMD will do. Since you want to watch football make sure it has dedicated graphics card and not one built into the motherboard.

I think a 27" monitor will be good since you will not be sitting too far from the monitor. Good amount of memory and solid state drive that has the operating system in it is all you need as mandatory. That will last you 4 years easily and by then you will be building your own PC  

[StarTrekDoc]

You won't go wrong with that Dell monitor.  It's a beauty for home theater and if you want to double the desktop for home screen.   I just like my a nice 26" and then a separate TV for the couch ===  you need to get that couch in the cave!

You don't have to be a computer geek to build, but it's the techie's DIY equivalent and understand where you place it on your honey do list  For the record on DIY builds....Buy at Fry's with Amex and get warranty extension on all and easy builds for customizations.  These days a lot easier to find drivers than prior years.iu

Speakers:  again is highly differential on what you want, size of the room, and price point.  Bose is great and we like their consistent product.   Solo 5 or 15 for bar vs pedestal.   Buy via Amazon for nice return policy

 

[CM]

This may be the one: http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetails/optiplex-3050-desktop/cto01o3050sffus?selectionState=eyJGUHJpY2UiOjkxMi4 1LCJPQyI6ImN0bzAxbzMwNTBzZmZ1cyIsIlF0eSI6MSwiTW9kc yI6W3siSWQiOjE0NiwiT3B0cyI6W3siSWQiOiJJMzcxMDAiLCJ QcmljZSI6NzcuMH1dfSx7IklkIjo3MDUsIk9wdHMiOlt7IklkI joiU0JSS1QifV19LHsiSWQiOjc0OSwiT3B0cyI6W3siSWQiOiJ LQ0kzU01MIn1dfV19

Intel i3-7100 processor
Windows 10 Pro
16 GB Memory
2.5inch 256GB SATA Class 20 Solid State Drive

However, there was no option on the screen to select an extra 1-2 TB Hard Drive.

Price is $912.50.

Would be pairing this with Dell 34 UltraSharp Curved Monitor U3417W.